Whakatane and tauranga are the main places youll depart from as you embark on a journey to view the orca, minke whales, and pilot whales that might be hiding amid the passing dolphins, fish, and seals. Whether youre looking for an activity that gets your pulse racing, or something a little more little more relaxed, whale watching off the coast of new zealand is an unmissable and. Whales different types of whales new zealand tourist. Worldclass, research driven organisation committed to the conservation of new zealand s whales and dolphins. Wings over whales whale watching kaikoura new zealand. Known as the whale capital, kaikoura is a worldfamous whale watching site, in particular for sperm whales which is currently the most abundant of large whales in new zealand waters. It is because of this oil that man hunted the sperm whales, going after the prized spermaceti oil that was used to make smokeless candles during the 19 th century sperm whales are one of the deepest diving whales, they usually dive hundreds of meters to find their food but.
Humpback whales are easy to identify and are well known for their. On this private helicopter tour, see kaikouras yearround whale populations without jostling for a spot to see them. The octonauts usually come across some problem in the ocean and you watch them solve it. Whalewatching is a popular pastime for visitors to kaikoura, which means that the towns many whalewatching cruises can get crowded. The whole experience is not just exhilarating, but also highly educational and focused on the preservation of the marine environment. Watch kaikouras magnificent resident sperm whales as well as other species of whale put on a. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit top.
Arnouxs beaked whale, or the southern fourtooth whale berardius arnouxi, has two pairs of teeth, one at the front of the jaw and one further back. I can watch it, plus my 4 yr old and 2 yr old love it. The hauraki gulf marine park, just outside of auckland city, is another significant whalewatching site. The southern right whale is the baleen whale most closely associated with new zealand because it used to come inshore to sheltered harbours to mate and calve. There is usually an underwater animal in need of help, and they give some educational information about that animal. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you. Watch kaikouras magnificent resident sperm whales as well as other species of whale put on a spectacular show in their natural. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020.
Where to dolphin and whale watch in new zealand blog. It is an area known for its exotic marine life in fact, more than 22 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted in the vicinity. Kiakoura on the east coast of the south island is also a great whale watching region. Whale tales 70 tails, 70 tales, 70 artists, 10 weeks, 1 city, 1 mission latest news awards and accolades. Kaikoura whale watching best time of the day to go. You can spot whales throughout the east coast of new zealand, including aucklands beautiful hauraki gulf and the wonderful kaikoura. Kaikoura is known as new zealands whale watching mecca. Part of the pacific ocean, the hauraki gulf covers an area of 4000 km. As you can see every month is good to seeing something, but the winter months mayjuly probably give the greatest range, including the occasional orca whale. On the east coast of new zealand, the whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. Marine life the new kaikoura marine management area developed to conserve kaikouras whales, dolphins, seals, albatrosses, rock lobster, shellfish and finfish was formally opened by conservation minister dr nick smith on the 6th of august, 2014. Pack a picnic, grab your binoculars, pull your car over and enjoy observing the wildlife at play. Three other beaked whales found occasionally in new zealand are arnouxs, cuviers, and the straptoothed beaked whale. Whales are a very common sight in the waters off kaikoura because of a 2kilometre underwater canyon that sits beside the coast.
Orca killer whales may be seen from december to march, and humpback whales in june and july. Whales in new zealand te ara encyclopedia of new zealand. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Beaked whales live in the open ocean and dive around 300m for squid. Its found on the south islands east coast, and its just over a 2hours drive from the city of christchurch. Whale watching is also offered in other locations, often as eco tours and in conjunction. Once in kaikoura we will make our way to a lookout to enjoy spectacular views of this pretty seaside village, the majestic mountains and the beautiful pacific ocean. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. Auckland whale watching whale watching in auckland.
Perhaps its the aweinspiring sight of these majestic creatures at close quarters, or the fact that you get to tour on a boat or in the air and see other. Best months to view dolphins and whales relaxing journeys. The resident population of sperm whales at kaikoura can be seen all year round. Next we will visit a fur seal colony before heading into kaikoura for some free. Watch full seasons, web series, kids, new originals, hit movies, and the best local and international entertainment all in one place. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura whale watching new. The biggest occurred when 1,000 whales beached at the remote chatham islands in 1918, followed by 450 that washed ashore in. Sperm whales are named after the spermaceti oil wax that they produce in the spermaceti organ located in their head. The park is full of a diverse range of rare and exotic ocean life. Discover iconic hotspots and hidden gems on this road trip through both of new zealands islands.
As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of new zealand fur seals and perhaps take in groups of dolphins, depending on the season. If you do need a reason to visit kaikoura, joining a tour to see the acrobatic. Paihia whales, dolphins, seals and penguins directory, new zealand. The biggest occurred when 1,000 whales beached at the remote chatham. In addition to the sperm whale, a number of different species of whale have been sighted off our coastline, including blues, humpbacks, rights and orca. The local company we use who operate these boats which head out to see the whales as they come up for air, has been running trips for over 20 years and has won many awards in that time. Commercial whaling in new zealand waters began late in the 18th century and continued until 1965. Send us your photos if you have photos of whales and dolphins that you would like to share, upload them to our facebook site or to picasa. We are the leading authority on mauis and hectors dolphin and the only group actively researching their conservation. Paihia whale and dolphin watching, swim with whales and. One killer whale regularly observed in nz waters has a very distinctive dorsal fin and a killer whale in australian waters has a similar fin, which has resulted in unsubstantiated anecdotal reports of exchanges between the two populations. Paternity analysis results also suggest new zealand right whale calves have. Feb, 2017 authorities in new zealand are planning to cut holes in 300 whale carcasses today to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600 whales became stranded.
When sheldon learns the house next door is for sale, he takes it upon himself to find the perfect. If you dont mind getting wet, swimming with the whales or dolphins may be an option. A resident population of brydes whales is commonly seen swimming alongside the visiting bottlenose and common dolphins as well as orca, pilot. Whale watch offers international and domestic visitors to kaikoura an exciting close up encounter with the giant sperm whale, the largest of the toothed whales. Authorities in new zealand are planning to cut holes in 300 whale carcasses today to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600 whales became stranded. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. Frequently asked questions nz attraction whale watch. For example, the critically endangered brydes whale is one such. Whale watch is located in the small coastal town of kaikoura on the east coast of new zealands south island a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch and two hour drive south from picton. Heres your chance to get up close to the majestic giants of the sea.
If you need help identifying species, download the marine mammal sighting. Excellent article by george monbiot, always the voice of reason, on why you should ask how your fish was caught. It was a major economic activity for europeans in new zealand in the first four decades of the 19th century. Furthermore, almost daily you can see quite a few dolphin species. On a new zealand whale watching tour in kaikoura, you can choose a tour to view these magnificent creatures from the water, on a specially designed catamaran, or from the air in a four or eight seat aeroplane. Whale watch kaikoura kaikoura tour hasslefree tours. A typical whale watch tour may encounter new zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Of the worlds species of baleen whales, eight are known in new zealand, but only two, the southern right whale and brydes whale, breed in new zealand waters. Or you can visit a seal colony or penguin colony in paihia, bay of islands, northland, new zealand.
A cruise to white island in the bay of plenty will expose you to a myriad of ocean life, including the occasional whale. Taking in epic coastline and pristine beaches to create an exciting offthebeatentrack adventure, for the perfect 14day new zealand experience. Watch young sheldon episodes online season 3 2020 tv guide. They are frequent visitors to the coastal waters of new zealand when they undertake seasonal. Whale watch kaikoura new zealand tourist attraction. The octonauts have fun songs for kids to sing and they also go on educational adventures. A new zealandbased car hire with rental depots throughout nz.
Depending on the season you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. We are especially interested in photos of nz dolphins with nicks out of their dorsal fins and of right. We run tours all year long and have a 95% success rate in seeing whales and if for some reason we are unable to locate a whale during the tour we give our. Next we will visit a fur seal colony before heading into kaikoura for. This full day tour includes a scenic drive from christchurch over the canterbury plains before arriving in the majestic seaside village of kaikoura. Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home. Not only is it the main place to see whales in the whole country, it is also one of the most popular spots in the world where you can easily have access to sperm whales. Hundreds of whales wash up dead on new zealand beach.
Whale watching you can spot whales throughout new zealand, including aucklands beautiful hauraki gulf and the wonderful kaikoura. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura whale watching. Discover the fascinating world of the whales, dolphins, seals and marine birds that. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful hauraki gulf marine park. The largest whale watching operation is based in kaikoura, where tours focus on sperm whales that frequent underwater canyons close to shore, as well as.
Nineteenthcentury whaling was based on hunting the southern right whale and the sperm whale and 20thcentury whaling concentrated on the humpback whale. Kaikoura, on the east coast of the south island, is one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales. Other species of baleen whales were usually seen further out to sea as they migrated between their antarctic feeding grounds and breeding grounds in warmer latitudes. Head out on a whale watching adventure at nz s premier whale destination kaikoura with one of the countrys best whale watching tour companies. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. As an active marinemammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming on board. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not. Here are some hot spots for seal, whale, penguin, sea lion and dolphin experiences. The orcas living around new zealand have been found to be unique they specialise in hunting for sharks and rays and even speak their own recognisable dialect. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. The grays, arnoux, caviers and the southern straptoothed whale is the most common seen in new zealand waters. Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of hauraki gulf just a short boat ride from auckland citys viaduct harbour.
Whale watching in new zealand things to see and do in. Whale watch kaikoura, kaikoura whale watching, new zealand. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. New zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching. There are lots of ways you can participate in the work of the trust. The town of kaikoura, as mentioned, is the undisputed champion of new zealand whale watching destinations. Every new zealand whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. The hauraki gulf marine park just outside auckland city is also a significant whale. Kaikoura is on the east coast of south island, new zealand.
Exploring new zealand is like no other experience, with towering mountain ranges, magnificent lush landscapes and striking coastlines making it a spectacular superyacht destination. Experience whale watching, dolphin encounters and an abundance of seabirds while learning from onboard experts and directly supporting our conservation efforts. During the breeding season in winter and spring, they are mostly found in the waters. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length. Whale watching in new zealand things to see and do in new. Wings over whales whale watching flights all year off the kaikoura coast, new zealand. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. They vary in length from 3m to m, they have a small head, beak and bulging forehead.
Christchurch canterbury, whale watching in new zealand. The department said it was new zealand s third largest mass stranding. A house for sale and serious woman stuff april 2, 2020. We visited the legendary seafood bbq, did a 3 hour coastal walk and went on the whale watch kaikoura trip. Taking in epic coastline and pristine beaches to create an exciting offthebeatentrack adventure, for the perfect 14day new zealand. Experience the alpine pacific, new zealands newest touring route, 450kms of spectacular scenery winding past wineries, alpine.
Giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and yearround residents. Five hydrophones in the stb recorded the new zealand blue whale call type. From then on, whangara chiefs, always the firstborn, always male, have been considered paikeas direct descendants. Experience a unique eco tourism encounter in paihia with a world famous whale watching or dolphin watching cruise. Toothed whales they find their prey through echolocation, emitting a series of clicks that travel through the water until they meet an object and are reflected back. A trip to auckland for new years eve where we spent the day on a boat seeing dolphins and brydes whales in the hauraki gulf. The whales like to gather here a few miles off the coast to feed, and you can arrange a couple of different ways to see them.